Wed. 05.08.26

The three-day tournament, scheduled for 6-8 August in Nairobi, marks a historic milestone for African hockey in the Hockey5s format

With the countdown to the inaugural Hockey5s Youth Africa Cup entering its final hours, Kenya’s technical bench believes the country is ready to embrace the moment as the under-18 boys’ and girls’ national teams prepare to battle for continental glory and qualification to the first-ever FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.

The three-day tournament, scheduled for 6-8 August in Nairobi, marks a historic milestone for African hockey. It is the first Youth Africa Cup to be played in the Hockey5s format, and will determine the two men’s and two women’s teams that will represent the continent at the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup later this year.

“Being part of Kenya’s national youth setup for over a decade has taught me that success at the international level goes beyond talent,” said Lugalia. “It requires discipline, preparation, resilience and a strong team culture. The experience in Oman during the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup gave us invaluable insights into the speed, intensity and tactical demands of the format.

We’ve brought those lessons into our preparations by placing greater emphasis on quick transitions, decision-making under pressure and mental toughness. Our aim is to ensure the players are not only physically ready but also confident in executing our game plan against quality opposition.”

Kenya’s boys’ squad is packed with proven performers from the school hockey scene. Captain Kelvin Onyango arrives after leading St. Antony’s Boys Kitale to the 2026 KSSSA national title while Reagan Meshack, the 2026 KSSSA Nationals MVP from Friends School Kamusinga, is expected to play a key role.

Lugalia believes the team’s greatest strength extends beyond individual accolades.

“This is a very talented group, but what excites me most is their attitude and willingness to learn,” he said. “Players like Onyango and Reagan have consistently demonstrated leadership, composure and the ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Beyond individual brilliance, the squad has developed strong chemistry, works hard for one another and has embraced the demands of Hockey5s. If they maintain that commitment and play with confidence, I believe they have every chance of competing for a World Cup qualification spot.”

The veteran tactician, who has overseen several generations of Kenyan hockey players, is reluctant to compare teams but believes the current squad possesses all the ingredients needed to succeed.

“Every generation has its own strengths, and I avoid making direct comparisons. However, I can confidently say this squad ranks among the most promising I’ve worked with,” he said. “They possess excellent technical ability, are tactically adaptable and have shown a strong desire to improve every day. Most importantly, they have embraced accountability and teamwork, which are critical ingredients for success at this level.”

Having experienced Hockey5s at the highest level in Oman, Lugalia says Kenya’s preparations have mirrored the demands of the shortened format.

“The biggest lessons from Oman were the importance of speed in transition, effective communication, intelligent positioning and making good decisions under pressure,” he explained.

“We’ve structured our training to reflect those demands through high-intensity sessions, situational play and tactical awareness. The players have adapted very well, and while there is always room for improvement, I believe they are well prepared to compete at the highest level.”

Overall head coach Griffin Okombe echoed those sentiments, describing the tournament as a landmark event for Kenyan hockey.

“Hosting the inaugural Hockey5s Youth Africa Cup is a proud moment for Kenya and a major step for youth hockey,” said Okombe. “Beyond competing for World Cup qualification, it gives our young players valuable international exposure and strengthens the pathway to the under-21 and senior national teams.”

Okombe expressed confidence in both squads after weeks of intensive preparation.

“We selected squads that we believe give Kenya the best opportunity to compete. The players have demonstrated the technical ability, tactical understanding, physical readiness and character required for Hockey5s,” he said. “We respect the quality of our opposition teams, but we are confident in our preparations and believe these teams can compete for World Cup qualification.”

Training has focused on the unique demands of the five-a-side game, with an emphasis on technical execution, tactical awareness, decision-making under pressure, physical conditioning and team cohesion.

“We’ve worked on technical execution, tactical awareness, decision-making under pressure, physical conditioning, team combinations and building a strong team identity to ensure we are ready to compete at a high level,” said Okombe.

While expectations are high for the hosts, both coaches have urged the players to embrace rather than fear the occasion.

“Playing at home is a privilege and a source of motivation,” said Lugalia. “We’ve reminded the players that pressure is part of elite sport and should be embraced rather than feared. We’ve encouraged the players to see the home crowd as a source of motivation rather than pressure. Our focus is on controlling what we can while staying committed to our objective of earning a World Cup qualification.”

Beyond the immediate goal of qualifying for December’s inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup, Okombe believes the tournament will leave a lasting legacy.

“The experience these athletes gain will support their progression to the under-21 and hopefully senior national teams, while also inspiring more young players to embrace Hockey5s and strengthen youth hockey development across the country.”

As Kenya prepares to host one of the most significant youth hockey tournaments ever staged on the continent, the expectation is clear. Armed with a talented squad, experienced coaches and the backing of a home crowd, the hosts will be aiming to ensure the inaugural Youth Africa Cup becomes the launchpad for another historic chapter in Kenyan hockey.

Source:mozzartsport.co.ke